The Big Picture

After the Windies became the first team to qualify for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 thanks to a D/L win over Scotland, the fight for the remaining elusive spot intensified between Ireland and Afghanistan will the latter coming on top eventually. It’s now set up as Windies vs Afghanistan as the teams get ready to take on each other in the finals of the ICC Qualifiers on Sunday, March 25th, 2018

Pitch & Weather Conditions:

While the Pitch at the Old, Hararians has been on the slower side, overcast conditions might just help the fast bowlers early on in the innings.

Team News and key players to watch out for:-

Windies:

After suffering a minor hiccup in their first Super-Six game against Afghanistan, the Windies came storming back against the hosts Zimbabwe in a bid to keep their hopes alive. Though they had another wobble against Scotland but eventually came out on top to clinch their place in the 2019 World Cup. Windies bowling has been outstanding throughout the tournament with the likes of Roach, Holder, and Nurse putting a stranglehold on the opposition batsman.

While the Windies batting order has done pretty well throughout the tournament, the game against Scotland saw a lackluster performance as they were skittled out for 198. Lewis and Samuels scored gritty fifties but the Windies would be hoping for a complete batting performance in the finals.

Afghanistan became the second team to qualify for the 50-over World Cup due to be held in England and Wales next year. Zimbabwe’s shock loss to the UAE yesterday meant the last Super-Six game between Ireland and Afghanistan was a virtual Quarterfinal.

While Dawlat Zadran (2-54) and Rashid Khan were the pick of the bowlers, the batting was ably led by openers Shahzad and Naib, the final rescue act was emulated by their skipper Stanikzai who despite battling from injury led his team to the finals without a further hiccup. Afghanistan will look to field the same side in the finals.